Lighting question

[intimatecple]

I am getting ready to purchase my lighting for a 150 gallon reef tank with lots of nice corals (future purchases) and need to know.... 2 metal halides at 400 watts or 4 MH's at 200 watts???? which way would be better as this affects how I build my canopy..

Thanks in advance,
Barry

 

[pat8you]

As a rule of thumb a MH bulb will cover about a 2' x 2' area. So if you have a 4' 150 then i would go with 2 and if you have a 6' i would go with 3.

 

[ccCapt]

Either 3 x 250w or 3 x 400w would be the best best, assuming your tank is 6'. You can even get away with 3 x 175w, but the tank is pretty deep. I know a guy who has a 6' 150g and he uses 4 x 175w.
I never heard of and don't think a 200w metal halide bulb exists.

 

[intimatecple]

yes this is a 6' long tank ...and I meant 250w....(fingers not agreeing with brain)

 

[melosu58]

I agree with larry that the 250 or 400 watt would be the best bet. What kind of corals are you planning on?